© 2020 Nomadict. All rights reserved.
Torsten Muehlbacher
@clickpix_eu
Best of the week 39 at #nomadict 2020
The camera has been a loyal companion since a very young age, joining me on various school trips and events. Back then it was still on film, as digital did not yet exist. Over time, my photography developed until I bought my first digital camera in 2003. Since then, the camera has as well been a loyal companion on my travels, hikes, but also at weddings and various assignments.
The change from analog to digital had a significant impact on my photography – now I could immediately see whether a picture I just took was decent or not. I didn’t have to wait until the film was developed to see if the photo was too dark, too light or out of focus. Digital photography made it much easier to work with the camera, try out, experiment. If it weren’t to meet your desires, you could just delete it and try again without worrying about limited space. It is comfortable, but at the same time influences how much time, thoughts and love we put into one shot, I believe.
"Analog photography allows me to slow down, be with my mind truly at the spot and with my camera, analyzing the opportunities."
How I feel while shooting also really depends on the genre I shoot. It is not the same shooting landscapes or shooting for brands or weddings for example. I am much more focused when I photograph weddings. Here the pictures have to please the client, keep their desires in mind and sometimes I have very little leeway. Very little time too. When it comes to landscape photography, I am free, I can do what I like and I wait for a certain lighting mood, carefully looking for the best spot. This is often not possible for weddings / business, as the location is often predetermined, there are requirements and there’s a short timeframe in which everything has to happen. Nevertheless, both genres can be combined very well. Skills from landscape photography also help me with composing the wedding pictures. The shootings often take place in nature, so I can perfectly apply my knowledge regarding light, framing, etc.
"Photography is a calling for me. It is relaxation and work at the same time in every sense."
I do photography part time, so when I am working I am enjoying it and when I am not working – not for shootings and neither in my other job – I still go out to shoot to just be in nature and capture the beauty. That’s how I took the winning shot, just venturing out in nature in my free time in search of joy and beauty. The day I took the picture, it was foggy and autumn was coming. We went to the Koenigssee, which was however under thick fog. As we didn’t see anything we drove a few kilometers back to the Hintersee. There is a famous photo spot there with a rock in the water, a small tree on it and a very photogenic background. Once there, we found at least 15 photographers… A little too many, if you ask me! So I walked a little along the lake until I got to this boat. I took a closer look and thought that a wide-angle shot would be perfect here. So I took my Fuji X-T2 with the XF 10-24 lens and positioned myself in front of the boat, having a little mountain backdrop in the background. The fog and the falling sun fitted the scene perfectly – Click! So was the picture on the memory card.
WINNING PHOTOGRAPH
BEST OF THE WEEK 39
When I began to edit the shot I approached it as usual – my pictures should be as natural as possible. For editing I almost exclusively use Lightroom, every and then a little Photoshop. With Lightroom I think you can edit almost anything, of course the source material has to be right. In my opinion, even with basic image processing you can no longer conjure up a great photo from a bad image. It is vital to first learn how to shoot so you get used to applying the editing tools to high quality images and learn that not all tools are necessary to create something naturally beautiful.
With my work I participated in several photo competitions and contests a few years ago, including the Sony World Photography Award. With this one I was in a category among the top 10 of the year and won the Austrian national competition a few years later. Of course, every photographer is happy when his work is seen and maybe even awarded a prize. Meanwhile however, I see the competitions a little bit critical. The whole thing is a bit distorted by the amount of pictures that are sent in at many competitions. Can the jury even objectively select the photos from tens of thousands of photos? Don’t you lose some excellent pictures? Now when I take part in a competition, I tend to do smaller, personal competitions.
My photography has certainly developed over the years. Winning something or getting great feedback doesn’t mean for me that I am satisfied with what I can create and stop learning, or that I should maintain that specific style that was well received. I keep changing my style, practicing new skills and learning from mistakes. I know there’s a lot of competition and it may sound naïef, but as long as you keep learning and improving, achieving new goals and capturing the valuable details of life, your photography is just perfect.
Would you like content like this sent to your inbox?
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
BEST OF THE WEEK JULY
BEST OF THE WEEK JUNE
BEST OF THE WEEK MAY
BEST OF THE WEEK APRIL
BEST OF THE WEEK MARCH
BEST OF THE WEEK FEBRUARY
BEST OF THE WEEK JANUARY
NOMADICT
ART GALLERY
THE LATEST STORIES
WRITEN WITH PASSION TO INSPIRE YOU
Maksym Mazur (@withmazur): Best of the week 35 at #nomadict 2024
Mazur’s journey intertwines his love for travel with a deep commitment to capturing the world’s fleeting beauty. His work often reflects his awe of nature, such as in his image of the jungle that won Best of the Week at Nomadict, taken from above at sunset with perfect timing and serendipity.
Katarina Batuta Višekruna (@katarina_mandarina): Best of the Year 2023 at #nomadict
From the wild beauty of Vermillion Cliffs to the depths of Mexico’s cenotes, Katarina’s work reflects a deep connection with the environment and a love for visual storytelling. With 18 years of experience and the co-founding of her production company, HiishiiPhoto, Katarina continues to evolve her craft. Katarina’s photo of the Vermillion Cliff was chosen for Best of the Year 2023 by the Nomadict community.
Alex Pantela (@alexpantela): Photographer based in Cyprus
In this article, Alex Pantela shares strategies to deepen your connection with nature through content creation, his favorite environments to stay creative, techniques for storytelling, the vision behind his work and editing style, and most valuable lessons!
Arnaud Ribeiro (@arnaud_ribeiro): Best of the week 26 at #nomadict 2024
Arnaud’s journey into photography began in 2023, inspired by a friend’s breathtaking road trip photos. Starting with a basic drone and a desire to capture the beauty around his home, his passion quickly grew, leading him to invest in a camera and fully immerse himself in the craft. Though still early in his journey, Arnaud’s dedication to practice, patience, and embracing mistakes has already shaped his evolving style. One of his images won the Best of the Week at Nomadict.
Cuno de Bruin (@cunodebruin): Best of the week 33 at #nomadict 2024
From his early days experimenting with a DSLR to capturing breathtaking drone shots in the mountains, Cuno’s work reflects his love for storytelling through images. In this article, he shares the experiences and lessons that shaped his career, from winning awards to balancing his creative pursuits with family life.
Harry Sohal (@harrysohalphoto): Photographer based in Canada
In this article, photographer and creative director Harry shares his journey from a college hobbyist to a professional creative, rediscovering his passion during the pandemic. He delves into his approach to capturing authenticity, his techniques for brand promotion, and the tools he uses to achieve a distinct, film-like aesthetic.
Derrick Kosea (@d_kosea_kaptures): Best of the week 31 at #nomadict 2024
Derrick is a photographer from the Navajo Reservation (New Mexico), a member of the Navajo Nation tribe, and an electrical engineering student. A recent highlight was capturing his dream shot of Shiprock surrounded by fog, a photo that won the Best of the Week at Nomadict.
Liam Alford (@liam_alford_photography): Best of the week 33 at #nomadict 2024
Liam Alford is a self-taught nature and wedding photographer with a passion for capturing the special moments in the world through his lens. In this article, we learn about his journey, valuable lessons from his outdoor experiences, and his shooting + editing approach to the image that won the Best of the Week 33, 2024.
